| Recommendations
for Students with Histories of Mental Health Concerns
Because
We Care
Leaving home for the first time to attend college can be a stressful
transition. Because this adjustment can potentially lead to emotional
and psychological issues or cause a relapse of problems associated
with mental health conditions, the university and other on-campus
resources provide limited support services to assist students in
reaching their personal and academic potential.
The faculty and staff at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh care about
their students and wish to support all students in their transition
to college.
You Are Not Alone
If you have a history of mental health concerns or currently are
taking a psychotropic medication, you may find comfort in knowing
that you're not alone. Many students have received psychological
and psychiatric assistance while growing up; others have experienced
their first psychological or psychiatric challenges while in college.
Some students require ongoing treatment for chronic conditions.
It is not uncommon for students to have past or current experiences
with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality
disorder, addiction, substance abuse, eating concerns - such as
anorexia and bulimia - and other mental health concerns. In addition,
some students struggle as a result of physical, emotional, or sexual
trauma, and others have difficulty coping with relationship issues.
Comprehensive counseling services, the advancement of psychotropic
medications, and the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities
Act have provided unprecedented opportunities for individuals with
mental health concerns to attend college and successfully complete
a college education.
Recommendations
While the university provides limited support services, students
are encouraged to proactively address their mental health concerns
prior to coming to campus.
The following
recommendations are offered to help students who either have had
past mental health concerns or who currently are dealing with mental
health challenges while preparing for the transition to college.
- Start planning
now for a healthy transition to college.
- If you have
put off getting help, don't wait any longer. The stresses inherent
in leaving home, coupled with the transition to college and the
related adjustments, may result in the worsening of your symptoms.
- Meet with
your psychiatrist, medical doctor, and/or mental health professional(s)
to review medications you currently may be taking, discuss anticipated
stresses related to the transition to college life and leaving
home, and develop relapse prevention strategies.
- Consider
continuing to meet periodically with your mental health professional
during your first semester at college rather than starting counseling
with someone new and adding to the stress and changes you are
experiencing.
- Have an up-to-date
treatment plan and follow it.
- Take your
medication as prescribed. Be careful to not self-medicate using
alcohol, other drugs, or food.
- Develop
a stress management plan, and get adequate sleep. Increased stress
and lack of sleep often are factors in the recurrence or enhancement
of a mental health concern.
- Maintain
or develop a strong support system of family, friends and others.
Be involved daily in activities you enjoy.
- Know what
you are going to do if symptoms of your condition begin to recur
or intensify.
- If symptoms
of your condition begin to recur or intensify, respond quickly
rather than putting off action. This can help you feel better
more quickly and minimize the possible negative impact of a relapse
on academic and social activities.
- Talk with
your CA or your Residence Hall Director to let them know what
you are struggling with and discuss campus resources. Residence
Life staff members are excellent sources of assistance for students
living on campus. Alternatively, make an appointment with a counselor
at the University Counseling Center. Our counselors also will
provide you with short-term counseling and crisis assistance and
help you connect with other campus and community resources and
with the health providers already treating you.
University Counseling
Center
201 Dempsey Hall
800 Algoma Blvd.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Phone: 920-424-2061
Monday - Friday 8Am - 4:30PM
Monday Evenings by Appointment
Resource: Adapted from a document of the same name by Central Michigan
University, 102 Foust Hall Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859. (May 22, 2003)
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